Still playing on Broadway, “& Juliet” comes to Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts with a national touring production that stars University of Miami graduate Joseph Torres as Romeo.
The musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and asks what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo.
Set to chart-topping pop anthems from the past three decades, the playlist includes recognizable pop tunes cleverly woven into the script: "Since U Been Gone," "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger than Life," "That’s the Way it Is," and "Can't Stop the Feeling!”
miamiartzine.com talked to Torres about his role as Romeo, his time at University of Miami, and his favorite song to sing in “& Juliet.”
miamiartzine.com: You went to University of Miami for musical theater; do you have any other connection to Miami?
Joseph Torres, a UM grad, stars as Romeo in the national touring production of the Broadway musical "& Juliet." (Photo courtesy of "& Juliet")
Joseph Torres: I was actually born in Kendall and my mom, dad and cousins all grew up there. But I only lived there two years and then we moved to Atlanta, but I still have relatives that live there.
maz: Did you choose the University of Miami because of your roots?
JT: It was my dream school, and I received significant talent scholarships. I loved the program immediately when I did my audition, and having family nearby was a bonus.
maz: You graduated with a BFA in musical theater. How is UM’s musical theater program?
JT: It is amazing and very rigorous: 23 credit hours a semester! There are a lot of successful alumni, like Joshua Henry, who’s leading “Ragtime” at Lincoln Center. The program kept me really busy, but it was fantastic.
maz: You just finished up a national tour before joining “& Juliet.”
JT: I played Aaron Samuels on the North American Tour of "Mean Girls."
maz: Tell me about the role you play in this show.
JT: I love this role. The show is a modern take on "Romeo and Juliet,"and imagines if Juliet didn’t meet her tragic end and the story continued. Romeo isn’t present at first, but he makes a comeback. He’s a hero with a heart of gold and a bit of arrogance, but he grows humbler as the story progresses.
maz: What makes this musical special?
JT: It’s a jukebox musical with all music by Max Martin, who’s written many hits since the 1990s -- Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, and more.
The company of the musical "& Juliet" comes to the Adrienne Arsht Center on Tuesday, Dec. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 4. (Photo by Evan Zimmerman)
maz: What’s your favorite song to perform?
JT: Right now, it’s “One More Try,” the only original song in the show by Max Martin. It’s a meaningful duet between Juliet and Romeo about second chances, which is a core theme of the show.
maz: The book is written by the Emmy-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, David West Read. Can you talk about that?
JT: That's one of my favorite parts of doing this show, is it's just so smart and structured. The writing is so strong and smart. It's a masterclass in writing
maz: Is there an LGBTQ story in the show?
JT: Yes, we have a non-binary character who’s a lead and shares a beautiful queer love story, which is important for visibility today. It’s heartfelt.
maz: When did you know you wanted to do musical theater?
JT: I was always into movies and storytelling, but I was hooked on theater when I went to New York and I was 15 years old and I saw “Something Rotten” on Broadway. I knew I wanted to make audiences feel the way I did that night.
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The company of the musical "& Juliet" comes to the Adrienne Arsht Center on Tuesday, Dec. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 4. (Photo by Evan Zimmerman)
maz: Was it always musical theater for you?
JT: Pretty much. The combination of singing, acting, and dancing is addictive. That’s what drew me in from the start.
maz: Was your family supportive of you wanting to pursue a career in theater?
JT: Yeah, absolutely. Becoming an artist is not easy in a Cuban American family, but my family really supported me. So what I do I always think is for them just as much as for me.
maz: How long have you been touring with this show?
JT: I started recently. I was cast in July, we did rehearsals in August, and I have been performing in it since September. The tour should run through next September, but as an artist, you’re always auditioning for the next project.
maz: What’s the rehearsal process when you are cast for a Broadway touring show?
JT: We typically rehearse in New York for three to four weeks, then tech the show at a tour venue. If you join after the tour starts, rehearsals are during the day while the cast performs at night.
maz: For people new to this show: is it a period piece, a modern piece, or both?
JT: It’s a blend. The costumes are partly period-inspired. The music and feel are modern, even if the setting nods to the past.
maz: How is Romeo part of the story if the narrative starts after his death?
JT: You’ll have to come see it to find out!
WHAT: "& Juliet"
WHEN: 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 30 through Sunday, Jan. 4. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31. 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 and 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4. All Broadway in Miami ticketholders have access to Arsht Plus, a series of interactive preperformance experiences such as artist conversations, dance lessons, cooking demos, live music and family fun offered on select performances. Arsht Plus takes place on opening night, Dec, 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m
WHERE: Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
COST: $51 to $182 (includes fees)
INFORMATION: (305) 949-6722 and arshtcenter.org
